Theater offers stray of hope

Column by Penny Parker

Several years ago Mr. On The Town — the No. 1 dog lover in our house — and I attended the play “Sylvia” at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

The A.R. Gurney play is about an empty-nest couple who take in a stray dog. I won't give away the ending but this comedy will tug at your heartstrings. I guarantee you'll love this play!

“Sylvia” plays from Nov. 7-17 at the LTAC. Tickets are available at www.LoneTreeArtsCenter.org or by calling 720-509-1000.

Kim Staunton, a winner of a Denver Post Ovation Award, Henry Award, and Westword's Best of Denver among her many local theater performances, stars as Kate. Two Tony Award nominees, director Randal Myler and Jonathan C. Kaplan (as Greg), also are part of the cast and crew.

The opening of the new Nancy P. Anschutz Center Boys and Girls Club on Tuesday, Oct. 1 was a celebration, despite a horrific shooting just 11 days earlier that left club advocate Terrance Roberts accused of attempted murder.

Boldfaced names like Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Phil and Nancy Anschutz, John and Paige Elway and Jack A. Vickers celebrated the opening of the new center at the Jack A. Vickers Boys & Girls Club.

Denver politicos and movers and shakers joined the celebration of a new Park Hill community center that replaced a shopping area torched by a gang in 2008.

Boys and Girls Club President and CEO John Aragoni held the sentiments of many in attendance when he said: “The community here had gone through its ups and downs. But we want to recognize its past with an eye on its future.”

`Girl' power for CRA

Sonia Riggs, formerly the executive director of the American Institute of Architects Colorado, is the heir apparent to eventually take over Pete Meersman's chief cheese job with the Colorado Restaurant Association as Meersman prepares for his departure.

CRA chairman of the board Rich Yoke appointed a search committee to advertise, screen, interview and select someone to serve as the new CRA chief operating officer, a position that will transition into the president and chief executive officer when Meersman, who has led the CRA for 30-plus years, leaves the association Nov. 1, 2014.

As of that date, Meersman will become the CRA's chief strategy officer by serving on various affiliated boards and working on special projects until November 2019.

“Sonia will officially begin work at CRA on Nov. 20,” Meersman said in a mass email. “She will be at CRA building on occasion before then for other meetings.

“Sonia's professional references raved about her when I talked to them. (All four AIA references not only praised her, but they asked me not to hire her because they wanted her to stay there.) I spent a morning last talking with Sonia in person. She has a great personality and sense of humor. She will fit in well with our very talented staff.”

The CRA serves restaurants throughout the metro area and the entire state of Colorado.

Wine, women and Woodyard

Are you ready for some football?

Wine, Women and Football, presented by Coloradans for Responsible Energy Development, is an evening of sipping, snacking and talking smack about any and all Broncos opponents, beginning at 5 p.m. on Oct. 15 at Chloe, 1445 Market St.

Come and share some X's and O's with players Montee Ball, Sylvester Williams, Britton Colquitt, Wesley Woodyard and one of my favorite former players, Rod Smith.

One hundred percent of proceeds benefit Volunteers of America's Brandon Center, an emergency shelter for women and children. For tickets, go to www.voacolorado.org.

`Orange' you glad for a deal?

Denver hotel The Curtis-a Doubletree by Hilton has an “orange crush” on the Denver Broncos.

According to spokeswoman Julie Dunn, “We're mad about Manning, wild about Welker and delighted over Decker. That's why we're inviting hardcore fans to join us in rooting on the Broncos this fall with a stay at Denver's only pop culture-themes hotel, and then to come back and do it all again in December.”

Here's the “Booking Broncos” breakdown:

Rates start at $129 per night when you book your football stay at the Curtis on Oct. 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Oct. 26 or 27 vs. the Washington Redskins (and former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan) or Nov. 16 or 17 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.

And the rest of the story ... say “Play it again, Peyton” and earn a second visit to the Curtis for $83 per night — in honor of Welker — plus $18 valet parking with homage to Manning on Dec. 7 or 8 vs. the Tennessee Titans or on Dec. 12 against the San Diego Chargers.

To take advantage of the Curtis Orange Crush offer, call Scott at 720-889-4747. For more information on the Curtis, go to www.thecurtis.com or call 800-525-6651.

Penny Parker's “Mile High Life” column gives insights into the best events, restaurants, businesses, parties and people throughout the metro area. Parker also writes for Blacktie-Colorado.com. You can subscribe and read her columns (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at www.pennyparker.blacktie-colorado.com. She can be reached at penny@blacktie-llc.com or at 303-619-5209. Want to advertise your business to run with Penny's column? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.